FIT LIFE: Miss America And Beyond - (Stacia Naquin)

By: Stacia Naquin

Updated: Fri 10:09 AM, Dec 30, 2011

By: Stacia Naquin

Don’t call her a pageant girl. Miss Colorado 2011 is an athlete! And as she leaves to compete for the title of Miss America 2012, she’ll take that athletic background and show how she lives a FIT LIFE:

When your mom is a former Miss America, people just assume pageantry is in your blood. But that’s not the way it happened for reigning Miss Colorado Diana Dreman. Yes – it’s true. Her mom is Miss America 1974 Rebecca King Dreman. But Diana didn’t grow up doing the “pageant thing.” She played sports! But the crown called after all. And now Diana will take that competitive spirit to the Miss America stage herself! And that special legacy is fueled by her life-long passion for health and fitness. It’s not just about the swimsuit competition for her. Here’s how she lives a FIT LIFE:

Stacia: So, you're leaving soon for the pageant. You must be so excited!

Diana: I am thrilled. It has been an incredible journey so far and even more special to be able to share it with my mother. To share history with my inspiration, my mentor and my rock is truly an honor.

Stacia: When people think of the Miss America pageant, the swimsuit competition obviously comes to mind. Any worries about getting up in front of millions of people in a swimsuit?

Diana: Absolutely not! It is completely normal to be in front of millions in just a swimsuit ;) but honestly it really is more than a “swimsuit” competition. It’s about showcasing my healthy lifestyle and confidence in who I am.

((The pic below is from the 2011 Miss Colorado Pageant. Diana is second from the left.))

Stacia: Tell us about your fitness regimen since you were crowned Miss CO back in June.

Diana: Well it hasn’t really changed all that much. Working out has always been a part of my normal routine. I remember my freshman year of college when all of my friends thought I was crazy waking up at 6AM to go to cycling class. But I was an athlete growing up, so physical fitness has always been important to me.

Stacia: Tell us about your background as an athlete. What sports did you play?

Diana: I was a basketball and volleyball girl. As a varsity athlete from a 5A school, I was used to the sweat, the grind and the hard work of, not only, being physically fit but also competing. In order to compete at such a high level, I had to make sure my body was ready. When you have to run up and down a basketball court or block a ball coming at you 90mph, you have to be strong and very aware of your body and what you put into it. You can’t do any of those things without the proper nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Stacia: But I'm sure you still have to take things to another level getting ready for the swimsuit competition! So if we followed you to the gym tomorrow, what would an average Pre Miss America workout look like?

Diana: It depends on the day. I lift three days a week with a trainer and then do cardio six days a week. I always allow myself a rest day too. My lifting days usually focus on either legs/butt and back or arms and abs. I do hanging abs, like toes to bars or knees to elbows. I do lots of squats and lunges. Oh and Good mornings! I can’t really explain it but if you want to raise your buns, it’s the thing to do! Oh and this crazy move called scorpions… ouch is all I have to say! I have learned from my trainer that it’s very important to keep your body guessing.

Stacia: What about what you're eating? What have your nutrition goals been like in preparation for the pageant?

Diana: I eat very clean. I always have a bowl of oatmeal and then eggs for protein in the AM. Then I have a snack… either natural almonds or a brown rice cake with almond butter. Sometimes I add sliced bananas for a little treat. I try to eat a lot of vegetables like bell peppers, lettuce, green beans and broccoli. For lunch or dinner, it’s usually tuna or salmon. For a treat, I love cocoa dusted almonds! And I can’t live without a water bottle! I always carry around my smart water! But I never look at the scale! It’s unrealistic. Muscle weighs more than fat and I don’t think numbers dictate how I feel.

Stacia: What about after the pageant? What are your fitness goals beyond Miss America?

Diana: I hope to run a marathon and hopefully fall in love with it and do many more! For me, it’s been important to always have a fitness goal, not just to fulfill my competitive drive but for health reasons.

Stacia: What would you say to someone out there who wants to take things to a new level with their health and fitness, but just isn't sure where to begin.

Diana: I think it’s about understanding that this is a lifestyle, not a quick fix or a diet. Great things take time and hard work. Allow yourself to gradually work into things. Know yourself. If you know that you have a sweet tooth, allow yourself that and plan ahead. This is about your health and feeling good… not about being a super model.

Watch Diana compete in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, January 14th.

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